Wendy Bentley Design Blog: 2014

Chloe's Cyclops

Chloe's picture of a cheerful cyclops has been sitting on my desk giving me a smile. I thought this Friday I would share her talent with everyone. A cyclops skipping across a tight rope...

Chloe came up with her own Halloween Décor Collection for her bedroom, carefully drawing and cutting out each pumpkin with a character to accompany these orange happy faces. My little graphic designer really impressed me with this one.

Chet and Chloe have found our Tulip Tree to be a great place for hanging out and posing and using their imagination.

Chloe has embraced Fall by always wanting to rake and loves loves jumping in the leaves and then rolling around in them afterwards.

Tony's pumpkin patch yielded the most we've ever had (6 total, 1 not present). It was so fun to watch them grow this summer and fall. Aren't they guordgeous?

My Cheetah children and I had so much fun at Coney Island for the Halloween celebration. We stayed until dark and enjoyed the thrill of the rides and more!

Fall wouldn't be complete without the annual trip to Neltner's Farm for a horse carriage ride out to the pumpkin patch, pony rides for the kids, corn maze and apple cider with musical entertainment in the background to boot. This is a tradition that I hope continues for many years to come. Happy Fall everybody!

Welcome Home Candle Gift Contest

I am excited to share this wonderful blog called "Welcome Home" which has its own fantastic facebook following. See all the exciting beautifully photographed foods and wonderfully, tasty recipes. I am fortunate to have my "Welcome Home" candle featured on the site as a gift in a fun contest by the creator, Marty Taylor...

http://www.welcome-home-blog.net/2014/08/the-welcome-home-kitchen-online.html

Sculpy Foursomes Magnets by Wendy Bentley

Sculpy Foursomes by Wendy Bentley

Not too long ago, I decided it was time to go through my stuffed work closet and review old projects. Tucked away in a box all bubble-wrapped were these little foursomes, magnet sculpts. I had done these years ago. I still like their naive, bright colored, youthful charm.

Chet's Illustrations

When Chet takes a moment to show his artistic talent, I am so impressed.

Here is Chet exploring in the sea inspired by the movie "Journey to the South Pacific" at the Omnimax.

Welcome Home Candle manufactured by Lang

I am always excited to see new products developed. Introducing my collaged House artwork on this candle manufactured by Lang. I can just smell the candle burning...apple, clove, orange & juniper berry.

This image can also be found in my Favorite Things calendar produced by Lang. A teacher and friend mentioned she was going to frame some of the art from the calendar for her class room, a great way to continue using the calendar even after the year is over.

Giraffe by Wendy & Chloe Bentley

Upon Chloe's request: "Mamma, let's paint something together," and so we did. All the pieces came together...I had a 12"X24" inch canvas already painted that had been laying around for years. I often looked at it and wondered what it might become some day. I had a request from Kyle, (Chloe's big brother) to receive an artsy birthday gift and wondered what would I paint for him? And I had Chloe's sketches from her art class of giraffes that I loved...wonderful drawings from a six year old, right?! We painted and collaged this piece and then shipped it off to New York City.

Door Décor by Wendy Bentley & Chloe

Several years ago, I came up with an idea to create Door Decorations for each season. I never really found the right contact, but I did inspire my daughter, Chloe. (see further down the page for our creations)

Obviously, this is the Valentine's Concept putting a little love in the air.

A wintry snowflake is always nice after Christmas.

I like the plaid patterns in the poinsettia. Finally a use for the flat marbles I bought at Michael's during a mosaic-inspired moment...

Here are the Springy and cheerful flowers Chloe and I did. It is very much a "team effort." Nothing is done without Chloe's approval. Often times, she steps back to make sure she likes it before permanently gluing down.

Luckily, I have a huge bag of painted watercolor paper backgrounds and patterns that we create our flowers from with my little Art Director and creator.

I think we have even gotten a little more elaborate, as this is our latest one.

I hope this puts a little "Spring" in your spirit today. Smiles...Wendy

Sail Away Fabric Tote Bag by Wendy Bentley

Introducing, Sail Away Fabric licensed to Timeless Treasures. I decided this week-end to make a fun tote bag with my latest fabric. Spring break is around the corner and wouldn't it be fun to have a reversible, new tote to take with you?

Here are the simple instructions...

Things you'll need, sewing machine, tight 1/8" batting, thread, ruler and scissors and two complimentary fabrics (1/2 yard each.)

Cut 2 pieces of Sailboat fabric (16"wide X 18.75"length) and 2 pieces of Anchor fabric (16"wide X 18.75"length). Optional: Cut the bottom portion (16" X 6") so that you can sew the two different fabrics together (image below.)

Your seems are .375" and should be ironed opened. You have now created the front panels for the outside and the reversible inside.

Next you will cut 4 (6" X18") side panels in the two fabrics (2 of each kind) and sew the sides to the front making sure the printed sides face each other. Then sew the final front piece on.

For the bottom piece. Cut 1 piece of each fabric that are (6.75" X 16.75".)

Then iron the top edge of the bag over .625" inches.

Your innerlining is complete!

For the front you will cut batting the same size as the fabric so that the bag will be firm and have strength. Along the seem of the two fabrics, sew the batting to the fabric. Optional: If you wanted to do a quilting pattern here, you could.

Next cut batting for the side panels and then then sew the sides to the front. If you have directional fabric, make sure that fabric is facing the same direction. Sew the final front peice to the ends on the other side.

Cut batting for the bottom piece, pin and sew the bottom on all sides.

Fold, pin over the top of the bag (.625") and sew to finish the edge before putting on the handles.

Choose your canvas handle width. I have a 24" X 1" and pinned them 3.5" in from the side seem.

Pin the handles down from the edge about 1.5" and sew the ends to both sides.

Finally, place the lining inside the bag wrong sides facing each other. Pin the interior to the exterior and sew them together making sure you're careful because this is final, finished seem.